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deecreatenola 's review for:
The Map of Salt and Stars
by Zeyn Joukhadar
I had seen this book scrolling through GoodReads, but honestly it hadn't really spoken to me as something I should pick up. I ended up getting a digital copy of it through a subscription that I have and wow, am I glad I did.
This was a harrowing but meaningful story beautifully told. The author's and one of the character's synesthesia made for rich descriptions of everything from the color of someone's speaking voice, to the interplay of color, feeling, and ambiance throughout the Middle East.
The story keeps moving on two separate tracks, Nour's and Rawiya's. Nour's story is in present day as she and her family try to escape the conflicts in Syria and elsewhere. Their journey is set against the backdrop of her lingering grief at losing her father, her Baba, as well as against the parallel of Rawiya's journey, which was a fable or mythology her father would share with her. Both characters travel similar paths, slaying the troubles before them.
The novel is propulsive but reflective at the same time. There's great heartbreak, but also growth and understanding. This story will stay with me for a long time.
This was a harrowing but meaningful story beautifully told. The author's and one of the character's synesthesia made for rich descriptions of everything from the color of someone's speaking voice, to the interplay of color, feeling, and ambiance throughout the Middle East.
The story keeps moving on two separate tracks, Nour's and Rawiya's. Nour's story is in present day as she and her family try to escape the conflicts in Syria and elsewhere. Their journey is set against the backdrop of her lingering grief at losing her father, her Baba, as well as against the parallel of Rawiya's journey, which was a fable or mythology her father would share with her. Both characters travel similar paths, slaying the troubles before them.
The novel is propulsive but reflective at the same time. There's great heartbreak, but also growth and understanding. This story will stay with me for a long time.